Chapter 30: I'll Keep Your Secret, No Problem—On One Condition

While they waited for the food, Shi Runrun began telling him jokes.

On the glass window, their ambiguous silhouettes were reflected. The woman, chattering away with innocent simplicity, while the man’s deep eyes were filled with gentle light and doting affection.

Unbeknownst to them, across the street, a luxurious white car slowly came to a stop. Watching the harmonious intimacy between them, the woman inside frowned, picked up her phone, and dialed a number.

As soon as the call connected, she spoke coldly, “Wanwan, guess who I just saw! I saw Xiao Xuezheng!”

“He’s having dinner with a woman. They looked very close—and you know what? For the first time, I saw him look at a woman with that kind of tenderness!”

Across the Atlantic, after ending the call, the woman opened the drawer by her bed and took out a photograph. The yellowed picture showed him, her older sister, and herself—a photo of the three of them together.

She reached out with her fair, delicate hand, tracing his image, eyes reddening.

Choking back a sob, she whispered, “Xuezheng, why… My sister is gone, but why can’t you ever turn around and look at me?”

When she finished, her slender fingers clenched into a fist, her long nails digging into her palm.

...

When the barbecue arrived, Shi Runrun began to devour it with relish.

Xiao Xuezheng frowned at the liberal coating of chili powder, his voice deep, “Are you sure you can handle this much spice?”

Shi Runrun stuck out her tongue sheepishly and lowered her voice, “Oh, I haven’t had this in ages—I’ve been craving it so much… Xiao Xuezheng, you have to keep this a secret, okay? Don’t tell Grandpa and Grandma when we get back!”

The man smiled, lips curling. “I’ll keep your secret, no problem—but I have one condition.”

“What is it?” Miss Shi asked, puzzled.

He leaned in, his thin lips close to her ear, blowing a warm breath there, then murmured, “Tonight, help me…”

Shi Runrun’s whole face flushed red, burning hot. She nearly choked on her barbecue.

“Cough—cough! Xiao Xuezheng! What are you talking about?! There are so many people here!”

Shi Runrun glared at him, cheeks crimson, rebuking him. He was unfazed, arms crossed over his chest, smiling. “Isn’t this a wifely duty you ought to fulfill for your husband?”

Still! There was no need to say it out loud! How mortifying!

After they finished eating, the man naturally paid the bill.

When it was time to pay, the owner of the barbecue place—who knew Shi Runrun—gave Xiao Xuezheng a thorough once-over, then asked, “Runrun, is this your new boyfriend? Good taste! He’s quite handsome!”

Shi Runrun blushed at the comment, but couldn’t hide her smile.

She waved her hand, “Oh, no, boss, he’s not… He’s…”

“I’m her husband!” the man beside her declared, pulling her into his arms, openly claiming his place.

His bold proclamation drew the attention of many diners. He finished by bending down and planting a kiss on Shi Runrun’s cheek, leaving her face flushed and burning with embarrassment.

Hand in hand, they left the barbecue shop.

The entire alley was awash in neon lights, food stalls everywhere. The man glanced at the little woman beside him, at the light in her eyes, and gently asked, “Still hungry? Want something else?”

Shi Runrun shook her head. “I’m full, just have a craving for something sweet—maybe an ice cream, hehe.”

Without a word, the man released her hand and headed toward the ice cream shop.

Shi Runrun watched his back—a man in a tailored suit, looking every inch the elite, now frowning as he squeezed into the crowd to stand in line for her ice cream. She was momentarily stunned.

It felt just like her freshman year, seeing other couples—how the boys would line up for treats for their girlfriends. Now, she finally got to experience it herself.

And in all her memory, no one had ever treated her so well.

About five minutes later, he emerged from the crowd, pink ice cream in hand, drawing the eyes of many.

It wasn’t until he stood before her that Shi Runrun snapped back to reality.

Xiao Xuezheng’s brow was still furrowed. He handed her the ice cream, cleared his throat, and said in his deep voice, “Don’t eat too much. Just have a taste—ice cream is cold, it’s not good for you or the baby.”

His concern, echoing his earlier tenderness, warmed her.

Shi Runrun took the ice cream, and with her other hand, reached out to grasp his large hand.

His hand was big, slender and handsome—she couldn’t wrap hers around it.

Even so, she hooked her fingers tightly around his, took a bite of the ice cream, and beamed with a sweet, blissful smile.

“Mmm… so good! Xiao Xuezheng, do you want to try?”

“No. You eat. Stop talking.”

“Oh, don’t be so proud. I know you want some too, just have a bite!”

The man: “…”

Chided by her, and seeing the ice cream lingering on her lips, he couldn’t resist. He reached out, cupped her head, and pressed his lips to her moist, sweet mouth.

“Mmm…”

Shi Runrun was caught in his kiss, right there in the middle of the crowded alley. In an instant, she forgot to resist.

It felt as if all her strength had been drawn away by him—she couldn’t move at all!

So she let him kiss her, just like that.

After a long while, he finally let her go. Shi Runrun gasped for breath, staring at him.

The man’s breathing was uneven, but he bent down, curled his lips into a cold smile, and said, “Still want to talk me into eating ice cream?”

Shi Runrun quickly shook her head. Never again, never again—if she’d known he’d kiss her so brazenly in public, she’d never have bothered!

She took a few more reluctant bites of the ice cream, but eventually, remembering his words, obediently tossed it in the trash. He was right—this time of year, in this weather, eating cold things wasn’t wise, especially since she was pregnant.

Then Shi Runrun happily followed behind him as they walked to the spot where the Maserati was parked.

The man got in the car, and Shi Runrun followed, fastening her seat belt obediently.

“Full and satisfied? Then let’s head home,” he said to her.

Shi Runrun nodded happily. The man started the engine.

By the time they returned to the villa, it was nearly half past ten—her grandparents were already asleep.

Shi Runrun had dozed off in the car. When she woke, she was already being carried into the bedroom by him.

“Xiao Xuezheng, are we home?” she mumbled.

He grunted in reply, nodded, and gently laid her on the bed, pulling the covers over her. “I’m going to shower. You go to sleep.”

Shi Runrun nodded sleepily, but as soon as he entered the bathroom and the sound of running water began, her phone suddenly vibrated.

She picked it up and was startled to see a message from her class monitor.

Reading it, she nearly jumped out of bed—her sleep vanished in an instant!

Oh no, she’d forgotten—the homework was due to be uploaded by midnight tonight, and she hadn’t even started!

Ahhh!

Help!